Regatta fleet pays homage to HM The King with spectacular sail-past

KATA: There was a spectacular start to the second day of the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta today when the record fleet of 101 yachts lined up and sailed past the Royal Thai Navy starting boat to pay tribute to His Majesty the King of Thailand – the regatta’s Royal patron – on his 79th birthday before the start of the day’s racing.

The than 1,000 skippers and their crews wore yellow shirts – His Majesty the King’s color – and lined up on the side of their yachts as they sailed past the Navy boat and all gave three cheers for the regatta’s patron. The sailors on the navy boat, all in full uniform, returned the sailors’ salute and it was an impressive sight.

“The sail past was the biggest gathering of sailing boats ever in Thai waters,” said King’s Cup President Santi Kanchanabundhu. “Tonight all the regatta participants will join the rest of the nation in a candle lighting ceremony to celebrate the birthday of His Majesty the King.”

A candle lighting ceremony is held on Kata Beach outside Mom Tri’s Boathouse every year during the King’s Cup on December 5 to celebrate National Day, Fathers’ Day and His Majesty’s birthday.

When today’s racing, which was sponsored by Mom Tri’s Boathouse and the Thai Beverage company, finally started well offshore on a calm sea, very light winds averaging about five knots ensured a slow and leisurely pace.

Race Officer Tony Denham described the conditions as light and unpredictable. “We had 10 to 12 knots of wind at the start of the first of the two races yesterday, but it later died right down to two knots at one stage,” he said.

“The breeze did return, but from another direction at about five to 10 knots.”

The top flight Racing 1 class managed to squeeze in three races today when the breeze picked up again late in the afternoon, but the rest of the fleet only had two races.

Toby O’Connell’s DhevataraDrumstick finished first in the provisional results after the first race, but former winner Neil Pryde was a close second on his boat Hi Fi with Paul Winkelmann’s Island Fling third.

In the second race in the Racing 1 class, Nick Burns recovered from a last-place finish in the first race to take the honors on his boat Mandrake, Winkelmann moved up to second place and Pryde dropped back to third.

The Racing 1 class was the only class to complete three races and in their final outing O’Connell had his second win of the day aboard Dhevatara Drumstick, while Winklemann’s Island Fling had another second place and Pryde’s Hi Fi finished third.

This top flight class is now set for some exciting racing during the rest of regatta week and the betting is still wide open on who will lift the coveted King’s Cup on the regatta’s 20th anniversary.

Phuket tourist decides hotel awning more comfortable than his room

The Phuket Tourist Police have been notified that a tourist had jumped from a building in Rawai and ended up on a steel awning covering the bottom floor today. But that wasn’t, in fact, what had happened.

The local Tourist Police say the owner of the building told staff at the Tourist Assistance Centre that the tourist had checked into the room on February 13.

The tourist didn’t actually jump down from the building but had moved a mattress from his room on to the awning and slept on it (mosquitos!!) He was also drunk and damaged some property inside the room.

The man is a 37 year old Estonian tourist. He was staying at the room with a 25 year old male friend.

Chalong Police have charged them both with being drunk and damaging property. They have said that they will pay for all damages to the owner of the property. They are heading back home on February 26.

500 free helmets handed out to motorbike drivers in Patong

Patong Development Foundation together with Patong Police and Patong Municipality have given 500 helmets to motorbike drivers in Patong today under the campaign ‘Wear your helmet’.

Handing out the 500 helmets to motorbike user in Patong was led by Patong Police Chief Col Anothai Jindamanee, Patong Municipality Chalermluck Kebsup and President of Patong Development Foundation Preechawut ‘Prap’ Keesin.

Col Anothai says, “Many motorbike drivers have been injured and died in road accident. We want 100 percent of motorbike drivers and passengers wearing helmets. ”

“More motorbike riders are now wearing helmets as the number of not wearing helmet charges has been dropping in Patong with better enforcement.”

The Thaiger is a deep resource for people looking for news, information, properties, lifestyle and travel articles about Thailand and our nearby region. Daily news is short, to the point, sourced originally and easy to find and read. The Thaiger also has a radio station in Phuket on 102.75 FM and Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Twitter channels. The Thaiger Co. Ltd is a company registered in Phuket, Thailand.